Chapter 6.14
RODENT CONTROL AND PREVENTION
Sections:
6.14.010 Storage and keeping of food products.
6.14.040 Rat traps – Inspection.
6.14.050 Protection of food from rats.
6.14.070 Violation – Civil penalty.
6.14.010 Storage and keeping of food products.
It is unlawful for any person to keep, store or expose for sale any food products or other goods, or to occupy or maintain any building, storeroom or warehouse or to reside in any residence without complying with the provisions of this chapter. (Ord. 1074 § 1, 1994).
6.14.015 Outdoor feeding.
It is unlawful for any person to feed or allow any domestic or wild animals or birds to feed outdoors at such times and in such numbers that such feeding creates an unreasonable disturbance which affects the rights of two or more surrounding property owners and renders other persons insecure in the use of their property. (Ord. 1256 § 1, 2000).
6.14.020 Basement and walls.
All basements and walls of all buildings, storerooms, warehouses and residences within the city shall be so constructed, or repaired by use of screens, nettings, cement or other material or materials approved by the Tacoma-Pierce County health department director of health so as to prevent rats from gaining entrance to or harboring beneath the same. (Ord. 1074 § 1, 1994).
6.14.030 Duties of owner.
All buildings, storerooms, warehouses and residences within the city shall be forthwith placed in a clean and sanitary condition and rendered free from rats. It shall be the duty of the owner, lessee or occupant thereof to take all necessary steps to that end. (Ord. 1074 § 1, 1994).
6.14.040 Rat traps – Inspection.
All buildings, storerooms, warehouses and residences shall be provided by the owner, lessee or occupant thereof with such number of rat traps of a pattern approved by the director of health as may be ordered by him or her. Said traps shall be freshly baited at such intervals as may be ordered by the director of health and shall be inspected by the owner, lessee or occupant daily and any rat or rats caught therein removed therefrom. (Ord. 1074 § 1, 1994).
6.14.050 Protection of food from rats.
All food products or other goods, whether kept for sale or for any other purpose, shall be so protected as to prevent rats from gaining access thereto or coming in contact therewith. (Ord. 1074 § 1, 1994).
6.14.060 Poisons.
Poisons, suitable for the extermination of rats, will be placed at or in buildings, storerooms, warehouses and residences when the director of health shall determine that a need exists for the placing of such poisons. It shall be the duty of each owner, lessee or occupant of such building, storeroom, warehouse or residence to comply with all orders and directives of the director of health regarding the placing of poisons and the type to be used. (Ord. 1074 § 1, 1994).
6.14.070 Violation – Civil penalty.
Any person violating the provisions of this chapter shall be punished by a civil fine in a sum not exceeding $1,000. (Ord. 1256 § 2, 2000).